Experts and commentators reacted with various opinions Tuesday to the news of Princess Kiko's pregnancy but all agreed it will likely affect public opinion and delay discussions on whether females and their descendants should be allowed to ascend the throne.
"If a boy is born, he will be a direct descendant of the Emperor and public opinion may change," said writer Naoki Inose. The pregnancy "was unexpected and it is better to discuss a revision of the Imperial Household Law after the baby is born.
"It is unnecessary to rush through an enactment of the revision bill during the current Diet session," Inose said, adding that if a boy is born it may help relieve Crown Princess Masako from the pressure of not having produced a male heir.
The Crown Princess is recuperating from a stress-induced illness. She and her husband, Crown Prince Naruhito, have a 4-year-old daughter, Princess Aiko.
"It will be interesting to see how Princess Kiko's pregnancy with her third child will influence Crown Princess Masako's position in the Imperial family and the condition of her illness," said broadcasting producer and commentator Dave Spector.
Princess Kiko and her husband, Prince Akishino, have two daughters.
Apart from the debate on a female monarch, friends of Imperial family members expressed delight at the news.
Hiroshi Takita, 39, an old school friend of Prince Akishino, said he was very surprised but happy at the news, adding he had met the prince in December, but he did not say anything about his wife's pregnancy.
